Silicon rubber healthcare footwear article with silicon rubber insole and its manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

A healthcare footwear article includes an upper shoe body and a sole member provided underneath the upper shoe body and is connected with the upper shoe body to form an integral body. The upper shoe body and the sole member is configured from a material consisting of approximately 70% to approximately 80% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.

CROSS REFERENCES OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of a non-provisional application havingan application number of Ser. No. 14/986,745, and a filing date of Jan.4, 2016, which is a Continuation-In-Part application of anon-provisional application having an application number of Ser. No.13/872,128, and a filing date of Apr. 28, 2013. The content of thesespecification, including any intervening amendments thereto, areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a healthcare footwear article, and moreparticularly to a healthcare shoe and a manufacturing method thereof.

Description of Related Arts

With the increase of living standard of human beings, the demand forhigh quality footwear is also increasing. For example, people may wanttheir shoes to have certain specific features, such as waterprooffeature, wearproof feature, healthcare feature, and the likes. Thereexist many healthcare shoes all around the world, but the healthcarefeatures of those shoes are usually accomplished by providing some sortsof medicine or complicated mechanical structure in the shoes. This leadsto very high cost and selling price for these conventional healthcareshoes. Apart from high manufacturing cost and selling price, thecircumstances in which these conventional healthcare shoes can be usedtend to be very limited.

On the other hand, the conventional healthcare shoes mentioned aboveusually comprises an upper shoe body, a sole member, and an insolereceived in the upper shoe body. Conventionally, the insole isconfigured from materials which are stiff, hard and have littleelasticity. These adverse properties make the wearers of the shoes veryuncomfortable, especially when the wearers need to wear the shoes for anextended period of time.

As a result, there is a need to develop a healthcare footwear article,such as a healthcare shoe, which can resolve the above-mentionedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a healthcarefootwear article such as a healthcare shoe comprising an upper shoe bodyand a sole member which are formed as an integral body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a healthcarefootwear article such as a healthcare shoe comprising an insole whichhas a desirable elasticity and durability for imparting substantialcomfort to the wearer of the healthcare shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a healthcarefootwear article such as a healthcare shoe which is configured mainlyfrom silicon rubber mixture with a specific composition of matter.Moreover, the insole of the healthcare shoe is also configured from aspecific composition of matter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofmanufacturing a healthcare footwear article which involves simplifiedsteps as compared with manufacturing procedures for conventionalhealthcare footwear articles.

In one aspect of the present invention, it provides a healthcarefootwear article, comprising:

an upper shoe body; and

a sole member provided underneath the upper shoe body and is connectedwith the upper shoe body to form an integral body, wherein the uppershoe body and the sole member is configured from a material consistingof approximately 70% to approximately 80% of silicon rubber by weight,approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powder by weight,approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent by weight,approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder by weight,approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight,approximately 5% to approximately 10% infrared ray powder by weight, andapproximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.

In another aspect of the present invention, it provides a method ofmanufacturing a footwear article, comprising the steps of:

thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber, negativeions powder, antiwear powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent,infrared ray powder and dye to form a mixture, wherein the mixtureconsists of approximately 70% to approximately 85% of the silicon rubberby weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of the negative ionpowder by weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of the antiwearagent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of the titaniumpowder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of thevulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% ofinfrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately8% of the dye by weight;

removing air bubbles from the mixture;

injecting or pressing the mixture without the air bubbles into apredetermined mold for the healthcare footwear article;

heating the mold to a temperature of approximately 150° C. to 220° C.for approximately 200 seconds to approximately 1500 seconds to form thehealthcare footwear article comprising an upper shoe body and a solemember as an integral body; and

removing the healthcare footwear article from the mold.

In another aspect of the present invention, it provides a method ofmanufacturing an insole of a footwear article, comprising the steps of:

thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber, negativeions powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent, infrared ray powder,infrared ray powder and dye to form a mixture, wherein the mixtureconsists approximately 70% to approximately 90% of silicon rubber byweight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% of negative ion powder byweight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% of titanium powder byweight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent byweight, approximately 5% to approximately 7% of infrared ray powder byweight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight;

injecting or pressing the mixture into a predetermined mold for theinsole;

heating the mold to a temperature of approximately 150° C. toapproximately 220° C. for approximately 200 seconds to approximately1500 seconds to form the main insole body;

removing the main insole body from the mold; and

fittedly wrapping an insole cover around the main insole body to formthe insole of the healthcare footwear article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a healthcare footwear article according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an insole of the healthcare footweararticle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing thehealthcare footwear article according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing the insoleof the healthcare footwear article according to the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is thepreferred mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not tobe taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the present invention. Each ofthe inventive features described below can be used independently of oneanother or in combination with other features.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a healthcare footwear article, suchas a healthcare shoe, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. The healthcare shoe comprises an upper shoebody 1, and a sole member 2 provided underneath the upper shoe body 1.The upper shoe body 1 and the sole member 2 are connected to form anintegral body so that a manufacturer of the present invention does notneed to separately manufacture the upper shoe body 1 and the sole member2. The healthcare shoe may be manufactured by injection molding orpressing technology.

The upper shoe body 1 and the sole member 2 are configured from or madeby a material consisting of approximately 70% of silicon rubber byweight, approximately 10% of negative ion powder by weight,approximately 6% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 8% oftitanium powder by weight, approximately 0.5% of vulcanizing agent byweight, approximately 5% of infrared ray powder by weight, andapproximately 0.5% of dye by weight.

More generically, apart from the above figures, the upper shoe body 1and the sole member 2 may also be configured from or made by a materialconsisting of approximately 70% to approximately 85% of silicon rubberby weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powderby weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent byweight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder byweight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder byweight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent byweight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the healthcare footweararticle such as the healthcare shoe further comprises an insole 3 whichcomprises a main insole body 31 and an insole cover 32 fittedly coveringthe main insole body 31 for protection thereof. Specifically, the maininsole body 31 is configured from a material consisting of approximately75% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 9% of negative ion powderby weight, approximately 10% of titanium powder by weight, approximately0.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% of infrared raypowder by weight, and approximately 0.5% of dye by weight. Furthermore,the insole 3 or the main insole body 31 along may have a plurality ofventilating holes 311 formed thereon for ventilation.

The insole cover 32 may be configured from fabric material or leathermaterial which fitedly wraps around the main insole body 31 forprotection thereof. The insole 3 is normally placed in the healthcareshoe for imparting optimal comfort to the wearer thereof. Note that thematerial used to manufacture the main insole body 31 mainly consists ofsilicon rubber. As a result, the main insole body 31 will have betterelasticity and softness as compared to conventional insoles. A thicknessof the insole 3 is approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 10 mm. Notethat the insole 3 can also be used while the insole cover 32 is absent.

More generically, apart from the above percentages figures for thematerial configuring the insole 3, it may also be configured from ormade by a material consisting of approximately 70% to approximately 90%of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% ofnegative ion powder by weight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% oftitanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% ofvulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 7% ofinfrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately8% of dye by weight.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solemember 2 may be configured to have approximately 60000 oxygen negativeions while the upper shoe body 1 may have approximately 15000 oxygennegative ions.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a method of manufacturing ahealthcare footwear article according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated. The method comprises the steps of:

thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber, negativeions powder, antiwear powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent,infrared ray powder, and dye to form a mixture, wherein the mixtureconsists of approximately 70% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately10% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 6% of antiwear agentby weight, approximately 8% of titanium powder by weight, approximately0.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% of infrared raypowder by weight, and approximately 0.5% of dye by weight;

removing air bubbles from the mixture; and

injecting or pressing the mixture without air bubbles into apredetermined mold for the healthcare footwear article;

heating and vulcanizing the mold to a temperature of approximately 150°C. to 220° C. for approximately 200 seconds to approximately 1510seconds to form the healthcare footwear article comprising the uppershoe body 1 and the sole member 2 as an integral body; and

removing the healthcare footwear article from the mold.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a method of manufacturing theinsole 3 of the healthcare footwear article according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The method comprisesthe steps of:

thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber, negativeions powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent, infrared ray powder anddye to form a mixture, wherein the mixture consists of approximately 75%of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 9% of negative ion powder byweight, approximately 10% of titanium powder by weight, approximately0.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% of infrared raypowder by weight, and approximately 0.5% of dye by weight.

injecting the mixture into a predetermined mold for the insole;

heating and vulcanizing the mold to a temperature of approximately 150°C. to approximately 220° C. for approximately 200 seconds toapproximately 1500 seconds to form the main insole body 31 having theventilating holes 311; and

removing the main insole body 3 from the mold; and

fittedly wrapping the insole cover 32 around the main insole body 3 toform the insole 3 of the healthcare footwear article.

Note that the ventilating holes 311 can also be formed after the maininsole body 31 has been removed from the mold. Moreover, the ventilatingholes 311 can also be formed on the entire insole 3. That is, the maininsole body 31 and the insole cover 32. Moreover, the insole 3 can alsobe used while the insole 3 does not have the insole cover 32.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moldmay be heated to a preferred temperature of approximately 162° C. to166° C. for approximately 1490 seconds to approximately 1510 seconds toform the healthcare footwear article comprising the upper shoe body 1and the sole member 2 as an integral body, and the insole 3. Otherheating temperature and time may also be adopted provided that it iswithin the range mentioned above.

As shown in the above disclosure, the healthcare footwear article of thepresent invention such as the healthcare shoe described above can beeasily manufactured by injection molding or pressing technology as thefinal product forms an integral body so as to ensure the maximumstructural integrity of the healthcare footwear article. Since theentire healthcare footwear article is made from silicon rubber basedmaterial, it is waterproof, easy to clean and generally less vulnerableto acidic environment. Since the material for configuring the healthcarefootwear article and the insole 3 consist of a predetermined amount ofnegative ions powder, the healthcare footwear article of the presentinvention may release negative ions to fosterblood circulation andmetabolism of the wearer.

The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of apreferred embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to theparticular description contained in this specification. Additionalalternative or equivalent components could be used to practice thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a healthcare footweararticle comprising the steps of: thoroughly mixing a predeterminedamount of silicon rubber, negative ions powder, antiwear powder,titanium powder, vulcanizing agent, infrared ray powder and dye to forma mixture, wherein said mixture consists of approximately 70% toapproximately 85% of said silicon rubber by weight, approximately 5% toapproximately 20% of said negative ion powder by weight, approximately2% to approximately 7% of said antiwear agent by weight, approximately5% to approximately 20% of said titanium powder by weight, approximately0.1% to approximately 1.5% of said vulcanizing agent by weight,approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder by weight,and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of said dye by weight;removing air bubbles from said mixture; injecting or pressing saidmixture without said air bubbles into a predetermined mold for saidhealthcare footwear article; heating and vulcanizing said mold to atemperature of approximately 150° C. to 220° C. for approximately 200seconds to approximately 1510 seconds to form said healthcare footweararticle comprising an upper shoe body and a sole member as an integralbody, said sole member being configured to have approximately 60000oxygen negative ions, while said upper shoe body being configured tohave approximately 15000 oxygen negative ions; and removing saidhealthcare footwear article from said mold.
 2. The method, as recited inclaim 1, wherein said mixture consists of approximately 70% of siliconrubber by weight, approximately 10% of negative ion powder by weight,approximately 6% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 8% oftitanium powder by weight, approximately 0.5% of vulcanizing agent byweight, approximately 5% of infrared ray powder by weight, andapproximately 0.5% of dye by weight.
 3. The method, as recited in claim1, further comprising a step of providing an insole in said healthcarefootwear article, wherein said insole is manufactured by the steps of:thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber, negativeions powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent, infrared ray powder,and dye to form a mixture, wherein said mixture consists approximately70% to approximately 90% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 3%to approximately 23% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 3%to approximately 23% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% toapproximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% toapproximately 7% of infrared ray powder by weight, and approximately0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight; injecting or pressing saidmixture into a predetermined mold for said insole; heating said mold toa temperature of approximately 150° C. to approximately 220° C. forapproximately 200 seconds to approximately 1510 seconds to form saidmain insole body; removing said main insole body from said mold; andfittedly wrapping an insole cover around said main insole body to formsaid insole of said healthcare footwear article.
 4. The method, asrecited in claim 2, further comprising a step of providing an insole insaid healthcare footwear article, wherein said insole is manufactured bythe steps of: thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of siliconrubber, negative ions powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent,infrared ray powder, and dye to form a mixture, wherein said mixtureconsists approximately 70% to approximately 90% of silicon rubber byweight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% of negative ion powder byweight, approximately 3% to approximately 23% of titanium powder byweight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent byweight, approximately 5% to approximately 7% of infrared ray powder byweight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight;injecting or pressing said mixture into a predetermined mold for saidinsole; heating and vulcanizing said mold to a temperature ofapproximately 150° C. to approximately 220° C. for approximately 200seconds to approximately 1510 seconds to form said main insole body;removing said main insole body from said mold; and fittedly wrapping aninsole cover around said main insole body to form said insole of saidhealthcare footwear article.
 5. The method, as recited in claim 3,wherein said mold is heated to a temperature of approximately 162° C. to166° C. for approximately 1490 seconds to approximately 1510 seconds, athickness of said insole being approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 10mm.
 6. The method, as recited in claim 4, wherein said mold is heated toa temperature of approximately 162° C. to 166° C. for approximately 1490seconds to approximately 1510 seconds, a thickness of said insole beingapproximately 0.5 mm to approximately 10 mm.
 7. A method ofmanufacturing an insole of a healthcare footwear article, comprising thesteps of: thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of silicon rubber,negative ions powder, titanium powder, vulcanizing agent, infrared raypowder and dye to form a mixture, wherein said mixture consistsapproximately 70% to approximately 90% of silicon rubber by weight,approximately 3% to approximately 23% of negative ion powder by weight,approximately 3% to approximately 23% of titanium powder by weight,approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight,approximately 5% to approximately 7% of infrared ray powder by weight,and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight; injectingor pressing said mixture into a predetermined mold for said insole;heating and vulcanizing said mold to a temperature of approximately 150°C. to approximately 220° C. for approximately 200 seconds toapproximately 1510 seconds to form said main insole body; and removingsaid main insole body from said mold.
 8. The method, as recited in claim7, wherein said mixture consists of approximately 75% of silicon rubberby weight, approximately 9% of negative ion powder by weight,approximately 10% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.5% ofvulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% of infrared ray powder byweight, and approximately 0.5% of dye by weight.
 9. The method, asrecited in claim 7, further comprising a step of fittedly wrapping aninsole cover around said main insole body, and forming a plurality ofventilating holes on said main insole body, said mold being heated to atemperature of approximately 162° C. to 166° C. for approximately 1490seconds to approximately 1510 seconds.